Box closing device



Jan. 31, 1967 R REEVES BOX CLOSING DEVICE Filed Sept. 4, 1964 4Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. ROBERT E. Rzavzs BY zml5w%1/ Al/orne S Jan. 31,1967 R. E. REEVES BOX CLOSING DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 4,1964 INVENTOR, ROBERT E. Reeves I I Mm Jan. 31, 1967 R. E. REEvEs BOXCLOSING DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 4, 1964 INVENTOR. ROBERT E.REEvEs AHamm s Jan. 31, 1967 R. E. REEVES 3,301,144

BOX CLOSING DEVICE Filed Sept. 4, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

Fig. 10.

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INVENTOR, ROBERT E. REEVES United States Patent 3,301,144 BOX CLOSINGDEVICE Robert E. Reeves, Indianapolis, Ind., assignor to InlandContainer Corporation, Indianapolis, Ind., a corporation of IndianaFiled Sept. 4, 1964, Ser. No. 394,525 11 Claims. (Cl. 93-36) Thisinvention relates generally to self-locking fibreboard boxes, and moreparticularly to a device which quickly closes and locks the flaps ofsuch boxes.

Self-locking boxes are well known and frequently used where equipmentfor setting up and closing regular slotted containers is not available,and it is undesirable, for obvious reasons, to maintain an inventory ofcompletely setup slotted containers.

In many instances, where self-locking boxes are used, workmen arerequired whose only job it is to set up the the boxes which are thenfurnished to the workmen (box packers) who remove commodities from aconveyor line and pack the boxes. This arrangement requires moremanpower than is desirable. Moreover, the flaps of the boxes arefrequently damaged or mutilated to some extent when they are set up andthe ends closed.

It is, therefore, a general object of the present invention to provide adevice for closing and locking the flaps in self-locking boxes.

A further object is to provide such a device which can be easilyoperated by unskilled laborers without damage to the flaps.

A further object is to provide a device which will permit packers toeasily set up their own boxes.

A further object is to provide a device of a type which can be easilymanufactured and lends itself readily to adjustable types ofconstruction for use with boxes of various sizes.

Described briefly, a typical embodiment of the present inventionincludes a support member which can be mounted on a stand to support thedevice at an angle facilitating its use by a box packer. Four elongatedguides are provided in parallel spaced relation, each of the guideshaving an angular cross section to receive the corner of a box blankinserted into the device at the free ends of the guides. The guidesdefine a polygonal space in which the box blank is received during theflap closing operation.

Two upper fingers are supported in the space within the guides andextend upwardly and outwardly therefrom to intercept the end flaps of abox blank as it is inserted into the device. They are supported to breakthe end flap scores and begin to fold the end flaps inwardly as the boxis inserted in the device.

Latches are provided on the upper folders so that when the latches arestruck by the lower margins of the end flaps as the box is pushedfurther into the fixture by the packer, the upper folders can pivotdownwardly and allow the supports for the folders to further turn theend flaps inwardly and then upwardly as the box blank is pushed furtherinto the device.

Two lower folders are provided in a manner similar to the upper foldersand are disposed to intercept the side flaps of the box blank when theend flaps have been turned inwardly to an angle of ninety degrees withrespect to the end walls of the box blank. As the box blank is pushedstill further downwardly into the device, the side flaps are turnedinwardly by the lower folders. The lower folders are also provided withlatches engageable by the lower margins of the side flaps which thenrelease the lower folders and allow the side flaps to be turned stillfurther inwardly and upwardly as the box blank is pushed still furtherinto the device.

3,3l,l44 Patented Jan. 31, 1967 Stops are provided so that when theflaps are positioned properly for inter engagement, the inward movementof the box blank into the device will be halted whereupon the blank canbe withdrawn sharply from the device and the flaps will move into theirproper locked relationship during withdrawal. The upper folders areformed to facilitate the quick and reliable locking action during theinitial movement in withdrawal of the box blank from the device.

The full nature of the invention will be understood from theaccompanying drawings and the following description and claims.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a typical embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view illustrating detailsof the upper folder mounting and latching means.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary section taken along the line 3-3 in FIG. 2 andviewed in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 4 is identical to FIG. 3 with the exception that it shows the upperfolder in its original position by the dotted outline and in its pivotedposition by the solid outline, the latch being shown in its unlatchingcondition by the dotted outline.

FIG. 5 is a reduced scale view of the device secured to a floor mountedstand and showing a packer pushing a box blank down into the device.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary elevational view illustrating the initial flapfolding event.

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 and showing more of the device andillustrating subsequent flap folding events.

FIG. 8 is a view like FIG. 7 and showing a still later stage in theoperation.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line 9-9 in FIG. 8 andshowing the parts at the same stage in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a typical box closable by the presentinvention, showing the flaps at the beginning of their interlockingaction.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the bottom of the closed box as it appearsinside the box.

FIG. 12 is a view like FIG. 11 but showing a box having a modified flapconstruction which is also closable by the device of the presentinvention.

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary view looking down into the fixture showing theoffset relationship of the latches on the lower folders.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, and particularly FIG. 1thereof, four elongated guides 11, 12, 13, and 14, the latter beingpartially broken away in the drawing, have their lower ends secured tothe rectangular plate 16 by any suitable means such as screws 17, forexample. Each of these guides has a ninety degree angular cross section,and the guides are disposed in parallel spaced relationship to eachother. Therefore the inside faces of the guides define two pairs ofparallel guide planes. One of these guide planes defined by guides 13and 14 is tangent the edge of 18 of the plate 16, the plane parallel tothis first plane being defined by the inside faces 11a and 12a of theguides 11 and 12 respectively. The third and fourth parallel guideplanes are tangent the edges 19 and 21 respectively of the plate 16,these guide planes being normal to the first and second guide planes.

In the illustrated embodiment, the spacing of the first and second guideplanes is fixed and is just slightly greater than the overall outsidedimensions between the end wall panels of the box whose bottom flaps areto be closed by the device. Similarly, the spacing between the third andfourth guide planes is just slightly greater than the overall outsidedimension between the side wall panels of the box to be closed by thedevice. The upper ends of the guides are flared outwardly slightly so asto readily receive a box blank into the guides. Facing edges of guides,such as edges 11!) and 12b of the guides 11 and 12 respectively, forexample, are spaced apart to accommodate pivotal action of the flapfolders and also facilitate the pushing of the box blank into the deviceand removal therefrom by the man setting up the box, the presentinvention making it possible for this man to be the box packer himself.

First and second upper flap folders are provided in the form ofelongated fingers 22 and 23, each of which is mounted to a support postsecured to plate 16 and extending upwardly therefrom in the spacebetween the guide planes. Finger 22 is pivotally mounted on a horizontalaxis pin 24 mounted to the post 26 secured to the base plate 16. Finger24 is pivotally mounted at the pin 27 to the bracket 28 which is securedto the upper end of the support post 29 whose lower end is secured tothe base plate 16. The posts 26 and 29 are spaced approximatelyequidistantly between the third and fourth guide planes. Their thicknessX is made as small as possible at the notches 31 and 32 in order toaccommodate turning action of the side flaps of the box during use ofthe device which will be described. The posts are set in from the firstand second planes a distance sufiicient to allow proper turning actionof the side flaps during the use of the device.

Two more flap folders are provided in the form of plates 33 and 34.These plates are for turning the side flaps of the box blank and theseplates are pivotally mounted to their respective support posts in thesame manner as the fingers 22 and 23 are pivotally mounted to thesupport posts 26 and 29, respectively. While the folder fingers 22 and23 will sometimes be referred to as the upper folders, the plates 33 and34 will be referred to as the lower folders. The upper and lower foldersmay have configurations other than those shown, but certain advantagesare derived from making the upper folders in the form of the fingersshown, as will be explained hereinafter. The mounting details of theillustrated folders will now be described, particular reference beingmade to FIGURES 2, 3, and 4. Referring particularly to FIGURE 3, thefinger 22 is pivotally mounted by means of the pin 24 to the bracket 25which is secured to the upper end of the support post 26. The finger isbiased to rotate in the direction of the arrow 38 by means of the coilspring 39 whose lower end is secured to the post 26 by the anchor bolt41 and whose upper end is hooked through an aperture 42 at the lower endof the finger 22. A stop pin 43 secured to the bracket 25, or othersuitable means may be employed to limit the travel of the finger 22 inthe direction of the arrow 38.

To prevent rotation of the finger opposite to the arrow 38, a latch 44is employed which is pivotally mounted to the bracket 25 by means of thepins 46. The latch 44 has a cross bar 47 which extends across the frontedge portion 48 of the finger 22, the overlapping of the lower face ofthe bridge 47 and the upper face of the finger 22 at the portion 43serving to lock the finger 22 in the position shown. Though the latch 44is pivotal on the pin 46, any force applied to the bridge portion 47thereof by the finger 22 would be in a direction radially outwardly fromthe axis of the pin 46 and would be ineffective to release the latch.The latch is normally held in position by a U-shaped resilient spring 49which may typically be made of rubber, for example, the upper endthereof being secured at 51 to the bridge 47 and the lower end thereofbeing secured at 52 to the bracket 25. Adhesive attachment means isadequate for this purpose. The bias thereby provided on the latch urgesit against the stop pin 43.

FIGURE 4 shows by the dotted outline 441' a released A line. After thefinger 22 is pivoted away from the position shown by the dotted outline22L, the latch biasing member 49 will move the latch back against thestop 43. A separate stop means for the latch and the finger can beemployed, if desired.

FIGURE 5 shows the device in use, the base plate 16 thereof beingsecured to a stand 53 which is mounted securely to the floor. Theworkman has inserted the box blank 54 into the device and has initiatedthe folding of the side and end flaps by pushing downwardly on the box.The box is disposed at an elevation and angle which make it convenientfor the workman to use the device, as it permits him to push the boxblank generally downwardly into the device.

Referring now ot FIGURES 10 and 11, the former of which shows thebot-tom of the box partially closed and the latter of which shows itcompletely closed, there are the side panels 56 and 57, end panels 58and 59, which form the sides and the ends of the completed box. Thebottom of the box, when the bottom is closed, is formed of the flaps 61and 62 which are mounted to the lower margins of the side panels, andwhich will hereinafter be referred to as the side flaps. The bottom iscompleted by the flaps 63 and 64 mounted to the lower margins of the endpanels 58 and 59, respectively, and these will hereinafter be referredto as the end flaps. As shown in FIGURE 10, the ears 66 and 67 of theside flap 62 projeot slightly into the slots 68 and 69 of the end flaps64 and 63, respectively. When the bottom is completely closed, the earsextend completely through the slots, as shown in FIGURE 11. The otherside flap 61 also has ears extending in the slots provided therefore inthe end flaps.

The length of the side flaps, that is the dimension W in FIGURE 11, issuch that the marginal edges 62a and 61a of the flaps 62 and '61 meet atthe line 71 at the center of the bottom. The length of the end flaps,that is dimension Y in FIGURE 11, can be varied considerably, asdesired.

The flaps 72, 73, 74, and 76 may be the usual rectangular flapstypically found in regular slotted cartons. However they -can have otherconfigurations, if desired.

OPERATION The operation of the device can best be understood byreferring to FIGURES 6 through 9. The lower end of the box blank isinserted into the upper end of the fixture with the side and end flapsbeing coplanar with the side and end wall panels, respectively. As shownin FIG- URE 6, the end flap 63 is coplanar with the end panel 58, andthe side flap 61 is coplanar with the side panel 57. The end flap score77 is unbroken and the side flap score 78 is unbroken.

As the box blank is pushed downwardly into the fixture the lowermarginal edge 63a of the end flap 63 engages the upper surfiace of thefinger 23. Simultaneously, the lower marginal edge of the end flap 64engages the upper surface of the finger 22, although this is not shownin the drawing, in order to conserve space.

Upon pushing the box blank further down into the device, the fingers 22and 23 remain secure against their stops and will force the end flapsinwardly as the box blank is pushed down further. This is represented bythe dotted outline 63b in the FIGURE 6. When the box blank has reachedthe position indicated by the dotted outline in FIGURE 6, the side flapshave not encountered any obstacle and remain coplanar with the sidepanels of the device.

When the box blank has reached the position shown by the dotted outlinein FIGURE 6, the lower marginal edge 63a of the end flap 63 strikes thefront edges 44 of the latch 44 which pivot it to a position such asshown by the dotted outline in FIGURE 4. This releases the finger 23allowing it to begin pivoting downwardly to a condition such as shown inFIGURE 7. Therefore, as

the box blank is pushed further downwardly, this pivoting of the finger23 will allow the fiap 63 to be turned inwardly till it is perpendicularto the first and second guide planes, which may be referred to as theend guide planes.

At any desired time after the end flaps have been turned inwardly tothis extent, the side flaps can be folded inwardly. In the illustratedexample, the inward folding of the side flaps begins at the time the boxblank reaches the position shown in FIGURE 7. At this time, the lowermarginal edge 61a of the side flap 61 strikes the upper surface of thelower folder late 34. Further downward motion of the box blank causesthis folder to turn the side flap 61 inwardly breaking the score line78. The inward folding continues until the lower marginal edge 61astrikes the latch for the folder 34, this box blank position beingdesignated by the dotted outlines in FIGURE 7. At this time, the flap 63has been folded so that it forms an upwardly opening acute angle withthe side panel 58.

Further downward motion of the box blank will cause the side flaps to befolded past a position perpendicular to the third and fourth guideplanes, the side guide planes, so that when the lower margins of the endflaps contact the resilient stop bars 79, the side and end flaps havethe relationship shown in FIGURES 8 and 9. At this point, the ears ofthe side fiaps are aligned with the slots in the end fiaps. This isdemonstrated in FIGURE 9.

When the box blank is pulled sharply upwardly from this position, theears enter the slots and, when the blank has been pulled out of thefixture it may have the configuration shown in FIGURE 10, although thebottom is usually much more completely closed so that, when the firstitem of the commodity is placed in the box the bottom will be completelyclosed.

It is during withdrawal of the box blank from the device that thefingers 22 and 23 control the flaps so as to avoid interference with anyportion of the support posts and folder mounting brackets. By having thefingers 23 formed in the configuration shown, additional assurance ofquick and reliable flap locking is obtained, in a manner which will nowbe described.

Referring to FIGURE 8, it will be :observed that for the greater part ofits length, the finger 23 is disposed rather close to the support post29' when it is pivoted down to the position shown wherein the fingercontacts the support post at the point 81. From the point 81 toward thedistal end of the finger, it flares outwardly having an outward curvedportion 23a adjacent its outer end. The spacing of the support posts 26and 29, and the contours of the fingers 22 and 23 are such that when thebox blank has been pushed into the fixture to the position shown inFIGURE 8, the end flaps will be allowed to move toward each other enoughthat the outer tips 60a and 65a of the side flap 61 will just enter theslots provided therefor in the end flaps 63 and 64. Likewise the tips ofthe ears 66 and 67 on the side flap 62 will just enter the slotsprovided therefor in the end flaps 63 and 64. This relationship isindicated for the ear 60 and the end flap 63 in FIGURES 8 and 9 of thedrawmgs.

So it is seen, that by proper positioning the outer tips 22b and 23b ofthe fingers 22 and 23, respectively the end flaps 63 and 64 will beallowed to extend inwardly enough that the distance between the slots ofthe end flaps and the inside face of the end wall panels of the boxblank will be greater than the distance Z (FIGURE 8) between the sameinside wall faces and the tips of the ears of the side flaps so that asthe box is pushed down and the lower folders fold the side flapsupwardly, to a position such as shown in FIGURES 8 and 9, the tips ofthe ears will actually engage the surface 631.: of the end flap and pushit out toward the inside surface of the end wall 58 until the ears snapinto the slots whereupon the flaps 63 will snap back against the tips231) and 22b of the fingers 23 and 22, respectively. Then, as the boxblank is pulled out of the device, the fact that the rest of the fingersabove the tips is further away from the box and walls, assures that theears of the side flaps will remain in the slots of the end flaps untilthe box blank has been removed from the device whereupon the naturaltendency of the flaps to return to their initial position will cause theears to move further into the slots and restore the bottom to a closedposition such as shown in FIG. 11. If the restoring forces in the flapsdo not of themselves completely close the bottom of the box, only aslight downward pressure is necessary and this can be done eitherdirectly by the operators hand or by placing commodities in the box.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of the latchesfor the lower folders 33 and 34 on opposite sides of a plane 70 (FIGS. 7and 13) parallel to the first and second guide planes and spacedequidistantly between them. Also, each of the lower folders 34- and 33has a downwardly projecting support tab (Mr and 33t) coplanar therewithand at the side of the latch portion therefor. The purpose of thisarrangement is to facilitate the closing of a self-locking box such asshown in FIG. 12 wherein the side flaps 84 and 86 have the reinforcingtabs 82 and 83 thereon. When such a box is closed, the support tabs 34and 331 of the folders support the reinforcing tabs 82 and 83,respectively, during the inward folding of the side flaps. The offsetrelationship provides ample clearance for the folding of the flaps andyet the latches are operated by the lower marginal edges 84a and 86a ofthe major portion of the flaps as in the previously described operationfor the container, and are not operated by the reinforcing tabs. Areverse score 82b, 83b may be provided at the tabs to allow them to benddownwardly as the side flaps are being turned upwardly, if necessary.However, because the score is a reverse score, these tabs will not bendupwardly with respect to the flaps so their reinforcing function is notdestroyed.

From the foregoing description, it can be readily appreciated that ifthe support posts are arranged for mounting to the members providing theguide planes with which they must cooperate, an adjustable fixture canreadily be attained. Such a fixture could be used for various sizes ofboxes. In other words, if the folder supports were secured to guides,the relationship between folders and the guides with which theycooperate would remain constant and the guides could be adjusted tohandle several box sizes.

If it is desired to hold the box blank stationary and move the foldersinto the box blank to close the flaps, this can also easily be donewithin the scope of the present invention. The flap scores of aconventional box can also be broken by the device of the presentinvention if desired.

Therefore, while the invention has been disclosed and described in somedetail in the drawings and foregoing description, they are to beconsidered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, as othermodifications may readily suggest themselves to persons skilled in thisart and within the broad scope of the invention, reference being had tothe appended claims.

The invention claimed is:

1. A box flap closing device comprising: a support member (16); fourelongated guides (11, 12, 13, 14) secured to said support member andextending upwardly therefrom in parallel spaced relation, each of saidguides having an angular cross section to receive a corner of a boxblank inserted into the device, the upper ends of said guides beingflared outwardly to facilitate entrance of a box blank into said guides,said guides establishing first and second guide planes in parallelspaced relationship to each other and third and fourth parallel spacedguide planes perpendicular to said first and second guide planes; firstand second support posts (29, 26) secured to said support member andextending upwardly therefrom parallel to said third and fourth planesand spaced equidistantly from said third and fourth planes; first andsecond flaps folding members, each of said members being an elongatedflap folding finger (23, 22), each finger having a lower and pivotallymounted to one of said support posts, and each finger being springbiased into normal position extending upwardly from the pivotal mountingthereof and outwardly through one of said first and second planes; afirst latch (44) pivotally mounted to said first post and having anabutment portion (441) projecting upwardly from the upper surface ofsaid first finger (23), the distance from said abutment portion to saidfirst plane intercepted by said first finger and measured along saidfirst finger being less than the length of a box flap (63) to be foldedby said first finger, the box flap length being measured from a scoreline (77) on the box blank to the marginal edge (63a) of the fiapparallel to the score line, said score line being the one to be brokenby said first finger during movement of the blank into the device, saidlatch normally preventing pivoting of said first finger downwardly whensaid finger is engaged by said box flap, whereby said score line isbroken and said flap is turned inwardly as said box blank is movedtoward said support member, the abutting engagement of said marginaledge with said abutment as said flap is turned inwardly being operativeto pivot said latch to release position as said box blank is movedfurther toward said support member whereupon said first finger ispivotable downwardly to permit upward turning of said flap by said firstsupport post as said blank is moved further toward said support member;a second latch pivotally mounted to said second post (22) and having anabutment projecting upwardly from the upper surface of said secondfinger and operable to release said second finger in the same manner assaid first latch is operable to release said first finger; said firstand second fingers being aligned with said first and second postsrespectively for arresting engagement of said fingers with said postsafter pivoting of said fingers to positions generally parallel to saidposts; third and fourth support posts (36, 37) secured to said supportmember (16) and extending upwardly therefrom between said planes; thirdand fourth flap folding members (33, 34) each having a lower endpivotally mounted to one of said third and fourth posts, and each beingspring biased into normal position extending upwardly from the pivotalmounting thereof and outwardly through one of said third and fourthplanes; a third latch pivotally mounted to said third post and having anabutment projecting upwardly from the upper surface of said thirdmember, the distance from said abutment portion of said third latch tosaid third plane and measured along said third member being less thanlength of another box flap (62) to be folded by said third member, saidthird latch normally preventing pivoting of said third member downwardlywhen said third member is engaged by said another box flap duringmovement of said box blank toward said support member, whereby saidanother flap is turned inwardly as said box blank is moved toward saidsupport member, the abutting engagement of a marginal edge of saidanother flap with the abutment portion of aid third latch as said boxblank is moved toward said support member being operative to pivot saidthird latch to a release position whereupon said third folding member ispermitted to pivot downwardly to permit upward turning of said anotherflap by said third post as said blank is moved further toward saidsupport member; a fourth latch normally preventing pivoting of saidfourth memlber and operable to release said fourth member in the samemanner as said third latch is operable to release said third member; andstop means (79) secured to said support member and positioned forabutting engagement by the lower margins of wall forming portions ofsaid blank to stop movement of said blank toward said support memberwhen said blank is in a position where all of said flaps are inclinedupwardly, two of said support posts (29', 37) being spaced from guideplanes faced thereby to permit said another flap (62) to deflect saidone flap (63) outwardly slightly as said blank approaches said stopmeans.

2. A box flap closing device as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said firstfinger is formed with a main portion extending from the pivot and with acontrol portion at the distal end, said control portion projecting in adirection outwardly from said first support post toward said first guideplane when the principal portion of said first finger is parallel tosaid first post, to deflect said one flap still further outwardly afterthe flap has passed the pivotal mounting of said first finger as saidbox blank is moved toward said support member.

3. A box flap closing device comprising: a support member; fourelongated guides secured to said support member and extending upwardlytherefrom in parallel spaced relation, said guides being formed toreceive a corner of a box blank inserted into the device, the upper endsof said guides being flared outwardly to facilitate entrance of a boxblank into said guides, said guides establishing first and second guideplanes in parallel spaced relationship to each other and third andfourth parallel spaced guide planes perpendicular to said first andsecond guide planes; first and second support posts extending parallelto said third'and fourth planes and spaced equidistantly from said thirdand fourth planes; first and second flap folders, each of said foldershaving a lower end pivotally mounted to one of said support posts, andeach folder being spring biased into normal position extending upwardlyfrom the pivotal mounting thereof and outwardly through one of saidfirst and second planes; at first latch mounted to said first post andhaving a portion projecting above'the upper surface of said firstfolder, the distance from said portion to said first plane interceptedby said first folder and measured along said first folder being lessthan the length of a box fiap to be folded by said first folder, the boxflap length being measured from a score line on the box blank to themarginal edge of the flap parallel to the score line, said score linebeing the one to be broken by said folder during movement of the blankinto the device, said latch normally preventing pivoting of said firstfolder downwardly when said first folder is engaged by said box flap,whereby said score line is broken and said flap is turned inwardly assaid box blank is moved toward said support member, the engagement ofsaid marginal edge with said latch portion being operative to move saidlatch to release position as said box blank is moved further toward saidsupport member, whereupon said first folder is pivotable downwardly topermit upward turning of said flap by said first support post as saidblank is moved further toward said support member; a second latchmounted to said second post and having a portion projecting above theupper surface of said second folder and operable to release said secondfolder in the same manner as said first latch is operable to releasesaid first folder; third and fourth support posts extending between saidplanes; third and fourth flap folders, each having a lower end pivotallymounted to one of said third and fourth posts, and each being springbiased into normal position extending upwardly from the pivotal mountingthereof and outwardly through one of said third and fourth planes; athird latch mounted to said third post and having a portion projectingabove the upper surface of said third folder, the distance from saidthird latch portion to said third plane and measured along said thirdfolder being less than the length of another box flap to be folded bysaid third folder, said third latch normally preventing pivoting of saidthird folder downwardly when said third folder is engaged by saidanother box flap during movement of said box blank toward said supportmember,

whereby said another flap is turned inwardly as said box blank is movedtoward said support member, the engagement of a marginal edge of saidanother flap with the third latch portion as said box blank is movedtoward said support member being operative to move said third latch to arelease position whereupon said third folder is permitted to pivotdownwardly to permit upward turning of said another flap by said thirdpost as said blank is moved further toward said support member; and stopmeans secured to said support member and positioned for engagement bythe lower margins of wall forming portions of said blank to stopmovement of said blank toward said support member when said blank is ina position where all of said flaps are held upwardly by at least one ofsaid support posts such that each of said flaps makes an acute anglewith the wall forming portion to which it is attached.

4. A box flap closing device comprising: a support member; elongatedguides secured to said support member and extending upwardly therefromin parallel spaced relation, the upper ends of said guides being flaredoutwardly to facilitate entrance of a box blank into said guides, saidguides establishing first and second guide planes in parallel spacedrelationship to each other and third and fourth parallel spaced guideplanes perpendicular to said first and second guide planes whereby arectangular box blank is guided for rectilinear movement toward saidsupport member; first and second support posts extending parallel tosaid third and fourth planes and spaced equidistantly from said thirdand fourth planes; first and second flap folders, each of said foldershaving a lower end pivotally mounted to one of said support posts, andeach folder being biased into normal position extending upwardly fromthe pivotal mounting thereof and outwardly through one of said first andsecond planes; a first latch normally engaging said first folder andsaid first support post and preventing pivoting of said first folderdownwardly when said folder is engaged by a box flap, whereby a scoreline between the flap and a box wall forming panel to which the flap isattached is broken and said flap is turned inwardly as said box blank ismoved toward said support member, said first latch having a portionprojecting above the upper surface of said first folder, engagement of amarginal edge of the flap with said latch portion being operative tomove said latch to release position as said box blank is moved furthertoward said support member, whereupon said first folder is pivotabledownwardly to permit upward turning of said flap by said first supportpost as said blank is moved further toward said support members; asecond latch normally engaging said second folder and said secondsupport post and having a portion projecting above the upper surface ofsaid second folder and operable to release said second folder in thesame manner as said first latch is operable to release said firstfolder; third and fourth support posts extending between said planes;third and fourth flap folders each having a lower end pivotally mountedto one of said third and fourth posts, and each being biased into normalposition extending upwardly from the pivotal mounting thereof andoutwardly through one of said third and fourth planes; a third latchnormally engaging said third folder and said third post and having aportion projecting above from the upper surface of said third folder,said third latch normally preventing pivoting of said third folderdownwardly when engaged by another box flap during movement of said boxblank toward said support member, whereby said another flap is turnedinwardly as said box blank is moved toward said support member, theengagement of a marginal edge of said another flap with said third latchportion as said box blank is moved toward said support member beingoperative to move said third latch to a release position whereupon saidthird folder is permitted to pivot downwardly to permit upward turningof said another flap by said third post as said blank is moved furthertoward said support member; and stop means secured to said supportmember and positioned for engagement by the lower margins of wallforming portions of said blank to stop movement of said blank towardsaid support member when said blank is in a position where all of saidflaps are inclined upwardly at a predetermined desiredinterrelationship.

5. A box flap closing device comprising: a support member; elongatedguides secured to said support member and extending upwardly therefromin parallel spaced relation, said guides establishing first and secondguide planes in parallel spaced relationship to each other and third andfourth parallel spaced guide planes perpendicular to said first andsecond guide planes for guiding a rectangular box blank during movementin said guides; first and second support means connected to certain onesof said guides and disposed in the spaced bounded by said guide planes;first and second flap folders, each of said folders being piv-otallymounted to one of said support means, and each folder being biased intonormal position extending upwardly from the pivotal mounting thereof andoutwardly through one of said first and second planes; latch meansnormally engaging said folders and preventing pivoting thereofdownwardly when said folders are engaged by a first pair of downwardlyprojecting flaps of a box blank as the box blank is moved in said guidestoward said support member, whereby said flaps are turned inwardly bysaid folders as said box blank is moved toward said support member andsaid flaps travel along said folders, said latch means including latchoperator means engageable by said flaps after a predetermined extent oftravel along said folders, said latch operator means being operable whenso engaged to move said latch means to release position as said boxblank is moved further toward said support member, whereupon saidfolders are pivotable downwardly to permit upward turning of said flapsby said support means as said blank is moved further toward said supportmember; third and fourth support means connected to certain ones of saidguides and closer to said support member than said first and secondsupport means and disposed in the space bounded by said guide planes;third and fourth flap folders, each of said third and fourth foldersbeing pivotally mounted to one of said third and fourth support means,and each of said third and fourth folders being biased into normalposition extending upwardly from the pivotal mounting thereof andoutwardly through one of said third and fourth planes; additional latchmeans normally engaging said third and fourth folders and preventingpivoting thereof downwardly when said third and fourth foldersare'engaged by a second pair of downwardly projectting flaps of the saidbox blank during movement of said box blank toward said support member,whereby said flaps of said second pair are turned inwardly after theflaps of the first pair as said box blank is moved toward said supportmember, said additional latch means including additional latch operatormeans engageable by the flaps of said second pair after a predeterminedextent of travel along said third and fourth folders as said box blankis moved toward said support member, and operable when so engaged tomove said additional latch means to a release position whereupon saidthird and fourth folders are permitted to pivot downwardly to permitupward turning of said flaps of said second pair by said third andfourth support means as said blank is moved further toward said supportmember.

6. In a box flap closing device, the combination comprising: guide meansestablishing a guide plane to support a wall panel of a box blank and aflap of the box blank coplanar with said wall panel; support meansdisposed in fixed spaced relationship to said guide plane; a first boxflap folder movably mounted to said support means and normally disposedand locked to lie generally in a second plane intercepting said guideplane at an acute angle; latch means engaging said support means andsaid folder and normally locking said folder in a position extending insaid second plane from said support means through said guide plane, saidlatch means being disposed for engagement by a portion of the box blankupon folding of the box blank flap out of said guide plane in adirection appreaching a parallel to said second plane, said latch meansbeing movable when engaged to release said \folder and accommodatemovement thereof by the box blank to a position accommodating furtherfolding of the 'box flap by said support means.

7. The combination as set forth in claim 6 and wherein said folder ispivotally mounted to said support means and is movable to a positionfacing and in generally parallel spaced relation to said guide plane,and said folder has an outwardly projecting portion which projectstoward said guide planewhen said folder is pivoted to said facing spacedrelationship to said guide plane.

8. In a box flap closing device, the combination comprising: locatingmeans establishing a locating plane for a box blank wall panel and flap;support means disposed in fixed spaced relationship to said locatingplane; a first box flap folder movably mounted to said support means;latch means engaging said support means and said folder and normallylocking said folder in a position extending from said support means andintercepting said locating plane at an acute angle; operator means forsaid latch means and disposed for engagement by a portion of a box blankupon folding of a box blank flap in a direction away from said locatingplane, said latch means being releasable by said operator means torelease said folder and accommodate movement thereof by the box blank toa position accommodating further folding of the box flap by said supportmeans.

9. The combination as set forth in claim 8 and wherein said folder ispivotally mounted to said support means and is movable to a positionfacing and in generally parallel spaced relation to said locating plane,and said folder has an outwardly projecting portion which projectstoward said locating plane when said folder is pivoted to said facingspaced relationship to said locating plane.

10. A box flap closing device comprising: box blank locatorsestablishing first and second locating planes in parallel spacedrelationship to each other and third and fourth parallel spaced locatingplanes perpendicular to said first and second locating planes; first andsecond support means disposed in a space bounded by said locatingplanes; first and second flap folders, each of said folders beingmovably mounted to one of said support means, and each folder beingbiased into normal position extending from the mounting thereof andoutwardly through one of said first and second planes; latch meansnormally preventing movement of said folders relative to said supportmean when said folders are engaged by a pair of flaps of a box blank asthe said box blank is moved relative to said support means; whereby saidflaps are turned inwardly by said folders; operator means for said latchmeans and disposed for engagement by a portion of the box blank upon apredetermined degree of inward turning of said fiaps, said latch meansbeing releasable by said operator means to release said folders andaccommodate movement thereof relative to said support means by the boxblank to positions of said folders permitting further folding of saidbox flaps by said support means; third and fourth support means disposedin the space bounded by said locating planes; third and fourth flapfolders, each being movably mounted to one of said third and fourthsupport means, and each being biased into normal position extending fromthe mounting thereof and outwardly through one of said third and fourthplanes; additional latch means normally preventing movement of saidthird and fourth folders relative to said support means when said thirdand fourth folders are engaged by a second pair of flaps of said boxblank as said .box blank is moved further relative to said supportmeans, whereby said flaps of said second pair are turned inwardly bysaid third and fourth folders as said box blank is moved furtherrelative to said support means; and additional latch operator means forsaid additional latch means, said additional operator means beingdisposed for engagement by a portion of said box blank after inwardturning of the flaps of said first pair past a position perpendicular tosaid locating planes and after a predetermined extend of inward turningof the flaps of said second pair, said additional latch means beingreleasable by said additional operator means to thereupon release saidthird and fourth folders and accommodate movement thereof by the boxblank to positions accommodating further turning of said flaps of saidsecond pair by said third and fourth support means.

11. A box flap closing device as set forth in claim 10 wherein saidthird and fourth support means are disposed on opposite sides of a fifthplane perpendicular to said third and fourth planes and equidistant fromsaid first and second planes, and said additional latch operator meansinclude a latch operator for said third folder on one side of said fifthplane and a latch operator for said fourth folder on the other side ofsaid fifth plane, said operators being engageable by the lower marginaledges of the flaps of said second pair, and said third and fourthfolders include support fingers adjacent said operators and extendinginwardly from the point at which the lower edges of the flaps of saidsecond pair would engage said operators, to support portions of theflaps which extend beyond the regular lower marginal edges thereof.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,039,370 6/ 1962King et al 9349 3,165,033 1/1965 Bambra 9336 BERNARD STICKNEY, PrimaryExaminer.

1. A BOX FLAP CLOSING DEVICE COMPRISING: A SUPPORT MEMBER (16); FOURELONGATED GUIDES (11, 12, 13, 14) SECURED TO SAID SUPPORT MEMBER ANDEXTENDING UPWARDLY THEREFROM IN PARALLEL SPACED RELATION, EACH OF SAIDGUIDES HAVING AN ANGULAR CROSS SECTION TO RECEIVE A CORNER OF A BOXBLANK INSERTED INTO THE DEVICE, THE UPPER ENDS OF SAID GUIDES BEINGFLARED OUTWARDLY TO FACILITATE ENTRANCE OF A BOX BLANK INTO SAID GUIDES,SAID GUIDES ESTABLISHING FIRST AND SECOND GUIDE PLANES IN PARALLELSPACED RELATIONSHIP TO EACH OTHER AND THIRD AND FOURTH PARALLEL SPACEDGUIDE PLANES PERPENDICULAR TO SAID FIRST AND SECOND GUIDE PLANES; FIRSTAND SECOND SUPPORT POSTS (29, 26) SECURED TO SAID SUPPORT MEMBER ANDEXTENDING UPWARDLY THEREFROM PARALLEL TO SAID THIRD AND FOURTH PLANESAND SPACED EQUIDISTANTLY FROM SAID THIRD AND FOURTH PLANES; FIRST ANDSECOND FLAPS FOLDING MEMBERS, EACH OF SAID MEMBERS BEING AN ELONGATEDFLAP FOLDING FINGER (23, 22), EACH FINGER HAVING A LOWER AND PIVOTALLYMOUNTED TO ONE OF SAID SUPPORT POSTS, AND EACH FINGER BEING SPRINGBIASED INTO NORMAL POSITION EXTENDING UPWARDLY FROM THE PIVOTAL MOUNTINGTHEREOF AND OUTWARDLY THROUGH ONE OF SAID FIRST AND SECOND PLANES; AFIRST LATCH (44) PIVOTALLY MOUNTED TO SAID FIRST POST AND HAVING ANABUTMENT PORTION (44F) PROJECTING UPWARDLY FROM THE UPPER SURFACE OFSAID FIRST FINGER (23), THE DISTANCE FROM SAID ABUTMENT PORTION TO SAIDFIRST PLANE INTERCEPTED BY SAID FIRST FINGER AND MEASURED ALONG SAIDFIRST FINGER BEING LESS THAN THE LENGTH OF A BOX FLAP (63) TO BE FOLDEDBY SAID FIRST FINGER, THE BOX FLAP LENGTH BEING MEASURED FROM A SCORELINE (77) ON THE BOX BLANK TO THE MARGINAL EDGE (63A) OF THE FLAPPARALLEL TO THE SCORE LINE, SAID SCORE LINE BEING THE ONE TO BE BROKENBY SAID FIRST FINGER DURING MOVEMENT OF THE BLANK INTO THE DEVICE, SAIDLATCH NORMALLY PREVENTING PIVOTING OF SAID FIRST FINGER DOWNWARDLY WHENSAID FINGER IS ENGAGED BY SAID BOX FLAP, WHEREBY SAID SCORE LINE ISBROKEN AND SAID FLAP IS TURNED INWARDLY AS SAID BOX BLANK IS MOVEDTOWARD SAID SUPPORT MEMBER, THE ABUTTING ENGAGEMENT OF SAID MARGINALEDGE WITH SAID ABUTMENT AS SAID FLAP IS TURNED INWARDLY BEING OPERATIVETO PIVOT SAID LATCH TO RELEASE POSITION AS SAID BOX BLANK IS MOVEDFURTHER TOWARD SAID SUPPORT MEMBER WHEREUPON SAID FIRST FINGER ISPIVOTABLE DOWNWARDLY TO PERMIT UPWARD TURNING OF SAID FLAP BY SAID FIRSTSUPPORT POST AS SAID BLANK IS MOVED FURTHER TOWARD SAID SUPPORT MEMBER;A SECOND LATCH PIVOTALLY MOUNTED TO SAID SECOND POST (22) AND HAVING ANABUTMENT PROJECTING UPWARDLY FROM THE UPPER SURFACE OF SAID SECONDFINGER AND OPERABLE TO RELEASE SAID SECOND FINGER IN THE SAME MANNER ASSAID FIRST LATCH IS OPERABLE TO RELEASE SAID FIRST FINGER; SAID FIRSTAND SECOND FINGERS BEING ALIGNED WITH SAID FIRST AND SECOND POSTSRESPECTIVELY FOR ARRESTING ENGAGEMENT OF SAID FINGERS WITH SAID POSTSAFTER PIVOTING OF SAID FINGERS TO POSITIONS GENERALLY PARALLEL TO SAIDPOSTS; THIRD AND FOURTH SUPPORT POSTS (36, 37) SECURED TO SAID SUPPORTMEMBER (16) AND EXTENDING UPWARDLY THEREFROM BETWEEN SAID PLANES; THIRDAND FOURTH FLAP FOLDING MEMBERS (33, 34) EACH HAVING A LOWER ENDPIVOTALLY MOUNTED TO ONE OF SAID THIRD AND FOURTH POSTS, AND EACH BEINGSPRING BIASED INTO NORMAL POSITION EXTENDING UPWARDLY FROM THE PIVOTALMOUNTING THEREOF AND OUTWARDLY THROUGH ONE OF SAID THIRD AND FOURTHPLANES; A THIRD LATCH PIVOTALLY MOUNTED TO SAID THIRD POST AND HAVING ANABUTMENT PROJECTING UPWARDLY FROM THE UPPER SURFACE OF SAID THIRDMEMBER, THE DISTANCE FROM SAID ABUTMENT PORTION OF SAID THIRD LATCH TOSAID THIRD PLANE AND MEASURED ALONG SAID THIRD MEMBER BEING LESS THANLENGTH OF ANOTHER BOX FLAP (62) TO BE FOLDED BY SAID THIRD MEMBER, SAIDTHIRD LATCH NORMALLY PREVENTING PIVOTING OF SAID THIRD MEMBER DOWNWARDLYWHEN SAID THIRD MEMBER IS ENGAGED BY SAID ANOTHER BOX FLAP DURINGMOVEMENT OF SAID BOX BLANK TOWARD SAID SUPPORT MEMBER, WHEREBY SAIDANOTHER FLAP IS TURNED INWARDLY AS SAID BOX BLANK IS MOVED TOWARD SAIDSUPPORT MEMBER, THE ABUTTING ENGAGEMENT OF A MARGINAL EDGE OF SAIDANOTHER FLAP WITH THE ABUTMENT PORTION OF SAID THIRD LATCH AS SAID BOXBLANK IS MOVED TOWARD SAID SUPPORT MEMBER BEING OPERATIVE TO PIVOT SAIDTHIRD LATCH TO A RELEASE POSITION WHEREUPON SAID THIRD FOLDING MEMBER ISPERMITTED TO PIVOT DOWNWARDLY TO PERMIT UPWARD TURNING OF SAID ANOTHERFLAP BY SAID THIRD POST AS SAID BLANK IS MOVED FURTHER TOWARD SAIDSUPPORT MEMBER; A FOURTH LATCH NORMALLY PREVENTING PIVOTING OF SAIDFOURTH MEMBER AND OPERABLE TO RELEASE SAID FOURTH MEMBER IN THE SAMEMANNER AS SAID THIRD LATCH IS OPERABLE TO RELEASE SAID THIRD MEMBER; ANDSTOP MEANS (79) SECURED TO SAID SUPPORT MEMBER AND POSITIONED FORABUTTING ENGAGEMENT BY THE LOWER MARGINS OF WALL FORMING PORTIONS OFSAID BLANK TO STOP MOVEMENT OF SAID BLANK TOWARD SAID SUPPORT MEMBERWHEN SAID BLANK IS IN A POSITION WHERE ALL OF SAID FLAPS ARE INCLINEDUPWARDLY, TWO OF SAID SUPPORT POSTS (29, 37) BEING SPACED FROM GUIDEPLANES FACED THEREBY TO PERMIT SAID ANOTHER FLAP (62) TO DEFLECT SAIDONE FLAP (63) OUTWARDLY SLIGHTLY AS SAID BLANK APPROACHES SAID STOPMEANS.